Estes LTV Scout, Build, Part 6, Those Conduits (Tunnels)

I did a dry fit (no glue) to see how the wood tunnels fit against the molded ends.

They were a little higher than the top of the adapter plastic.

The top was take down with 220 grit on a block.

I still left it a hair high to follow up with the next step.

These tunnels are about 1/4" wide, that could leave a gap against the curvature of the tube.

I wrapped some 220 grit around a 3/4" wide dowel and sanded a slight curve into the flat bottom of the tunnel.

This dip running along the bottom will fit the tube better and also lower the top so it will better match the molded tunnel ends in the adapters.

Estes LTV Scout, Build, Part 5, Those Conduits (Tunnels)

Here's how the instructions have you cut and separate the wood conduits.

A difficult task, cutting at an angle using a strait edge and knife.

I cut the first tunnel out, then changed my method.

After trying to sand the sides at an angle, the first conduit didn't seem wide enough for smooth transition meeting against the molded plastic conduit ends.

I ran a pencil down the trenches. I cut the tunnels apart setting the blade centered between the two pencil lines.

On the left is the tunnel end showing the sides extension.

On the left is the before and after. A sanding block with 220 grit smoothed out the sides. Follow with 400 grit.